Vessel Sealing Instrument

ABSTRACT

A bipolar electrosurgical instrument includes first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from its distal end. Each jaw member is adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the jaw members are capable of selectively conducting energy through tissue held therebetween. A knife channel is configured to reciprocate a cutting mechanism therealong. An actuator selectively advances the cutting mechanism. A switch is disposed on the first shaft and is configured to be depressed between a first position and at least one subsequent position upon biasing engagement with a mechanical interface disposed on the second shaft. The first position of the switch relays information to the user corresponding to a desired pressure on tissue and the at least one subsequent position is configured to activate the source of electrosurgical energy to supply electrosurgical energy to the jaw members.

BACKGROUND

1. Background of Related Art

The present disclosure relates to forceps used for open surgical procedures. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a forceps that applies electrosurgical current to seal tissue.

2. Technical Field

A hemostat or forceps is a simple plier-like tool which uses mechanical action between its jaws to constrict vessels and is commonly used in open surgical procedures to grasp, dissect and/or clamp tissue. Electrosurgical forceps utilize both mechanical clamping action and electrical energy to effect hemostasis by heating the tissue and blood vessels to coagulate, cauterize and/or seal tissue.

Certain surgical procedures require sealing and cutting blood vessels or vascular tissue. Several journal articles have disclosed methods for sealing small blood vessels using electrosurgery. An article entitled Studies on Coagulation and the Development of an Automatic Computerized Bipolar Coagulator, J. Neurosurg., Volume 75, July 1991, describes a bipolar coagulator which is used to seal small blood vessels. The article states that it is not possible to safely coagulate arteries with a diameter larger than 2 to 2.5 mm. A second article is entitled Automatically Controlled Bipolar Electrocoagulation—“COA-COMP”, Neurosurg. Rev. (1984), pp. 187-190, describes a method for terminating electrosurgical power to the vessel so that charring of the vessel walls can be avoided.

By utilizing an electrosurgical forceps, a surgeon can either cauterize, coagulate/desiccate, reduce or slow bleeding and/or seal vessels by controlling the intensity, frequency and duration of the electrosurgical energy applied to the tissue. Generally, the electrical configuration of electrosurgical forceps can be categorized in two classifications: 1) monopolar electrosurgical forceps; and 2) bipolar electrosurgical forceps.

Monopolar forceps utilize one active electrode associated with the clamping end effector and a remote patient return electrode or pad which is typically attached externally to the patient. When the electrosurgical energy is applied, the energy travels from the active electrode, to the surgical site, through the patient and to the return electrode.

Bipolar electrosurgical forceps utilize two generally opposing electrodes which are disposed on the inner opposing surfaces of the end effectors and which are both electrically coupled to an electrosurgical generator. Each electrode is charged to a different electric potential. Since tissue is a conductor of electrical energy, when the effectors are utilized to grasp tissue therebetween, the electrical energy can be selectively transferred through the tissue.

In order to effect a proper seal with larger vessels, two predominant mechanical parameters must be accurately controlled—the pressure applied to the vessel and the gap between the electrodes both of which affect thickness of the sealed vessel. More particularly, accurate application of the pressure is important to oppose the walls of the vessel, to reduce the tissue impedance to a low enough value that allows enough electrosurgical energy through the tissue, to overcome the forces of expansion during tissue heating and to contribute to the end tissue thickness which is an indication of a good seal. It has been determined that a fused vessel wall is optimum between 0.001 and 0.006 inches. Below this range, the seal may shred or tear and above this range the lumens may not be properly or effectively sealed.

With respect to smaller vessel, the pressure applied to the tissue tends to become less relevant whereas the gap distance between the electrically conductive surfaces becomes more significant for effective sealing. In other words, the chances of the two electrically conductive surfaces touching during activation increases as the vessels become smaller.

Electrosurgical methods may be able to seal larger vessels using an appropriate electrosurgical power curve, coupled with an instrument capable of applying a large closure force to the vessel walls. It is thought that the process of coagulating small vessels is fundamentally different than electrosurgical vessel sealing. For the purposes herein, “coagulation” is defined as a process of desiccating tissue wherein the tissue cells are ruptured and dried and vessel sealing is defined as the process of liquefying the collagen in the tissue so that it reforms into a fused mass. Thus, coagulation of small vessels is sufficient to permanently close them. Larger vessels need to be sealed to assure permanent closure.

Numerous bipolar electrosurgical forceps have been proposed in the past for various open surgical procedures. However, some of these designs may not provide uniformly reproducible pressure to the blood vessel and may result in an ineffective or non-uniform seal. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,176,479 to Willis, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,005,714 and 4,031,898 to Hiltebrandt, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,827,274, 5,290,287 and 5,312,433 to Boebel et al., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,370,980, 4,552,143, 5,026,370 and 5,116,332 to Lottick, U.S. Pat. No. 5,443,463 to Stern et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,484,436 to Eggers et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,951,549 to Richardson et al., all relate to electrosurgical instruments for coagulating, cutting and/or sealing vessels or tissue.

Many of these instruments include blade members or shearing members which simply cut tissue in a mechanical and/or electromechanical manner and are relatively ineffective for vessel sealing purposes. Other instruments rely on clamping pressure alone to procure proper sealing thickness and are not designed to take into account gap tolerances and/or parallelism and flatness requirements which are parameters which, if properly controlled, can assure a consistent and effective tissue seal. For example, it is known that it is difficult to adequately control thickness of the resulting sealed tissue by controlling clamping pressure alone for either of two reasons: 1) if too much force is applied, there is a possibility that the two poles will touch and energy will not be transferred through the tissue resulting in an ineffective seal; or 2) if too low a force is applied, a thicker less reliable seal is created.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a bipolar electrosurgical instrument includes first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from its distal end and a handle disposed at its proximal end for effecting movement of the jaw members relative to one another about a pivot from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue. Each jaw member is adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the jaw members are capable of selectively conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal. At least one of the jaw members includes a knife channel defined along its length. The knife channel is configured to reciprocate a cutting mechanism therealong to cut tissue grasped between the jaw members. The instrument also includes an actuator for selectively advancing the cutting mechanism from a first position wherein the cutting mechanism is disposed proximal to tissue grasped between the jaw members to at least one subsequent position wherein the cutting mechanism is disposed distal to tissue grasped between the jaw members. The instrument also includes a switch disposed on the first shaft. The switch is configured to be depressed between a first position and at least one subsequent position upon biasing engagement with a mechanical interface disposed on the second shaft upon movement of the jaw members from the first position to the second position. The first position of the switch relays information to the user corresponding to a desired pressure on tissue grasped between the jaw members and the at least one subsequent position is configured to activate the source of electrosurgical energy to supply electrosurgical energy to the jaw members.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a bipolar electrosurgical instrument includes first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from its distal end and a handle disposed at its proximal end for effecting movement of the jaw members relative to one another about a pivot from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue. Each jaw member is adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the jaw members are capable of selectively conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal. A knife channel is defined along a length of one or both of the jaw members. The knife channel is configured to reciprocate a cutting mechanism therealong to cut tissue grasped between the jaw members. The instrument also includes an actuator for selectively advancing the cutting mechanism from a first position wherein the cutting mechanism is disposed proximal to tissue grasped between the jaw members to at least one subsequent position wherein the cutting mechanism is disposed distal to tissue grasped between the jaw members. The instrument also includes a switch disposed on the first shaft. The switch is configured to be depressed between at least two positions upon biasing engagement with the second shaft upon movement of the jaw members from the first position to the second position. The switch generates a first tactile response upon movement to the first position of the switch and a subsequent tactile response upon movement to the at least one subsequent position of the switch. The first tactile response relays information to the user corresponding to a predetermined pressure on tissue grasped between the jaw members and the subsequent tactile response is configured to activate the source of electrosurgical energy to supply electrosurgical energy to the jaw members.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of performing an electrosurgical procedure includes the step of approximating first and second shafts of a bipolar forceps to grasp tissue between first and second jaw members associated with the first and second shafts. The method also includes the steps of depressing a switch upon approximation of the first and second shafts to a first position to relay information to the user corresponding to a predetermined grasping pressure applied to tissue grasped between the jaw members and depressing the switch to at least one subsequent position to activate a source of electrosurgical energy to supply electrosurgical energy to the jaw members.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the subject instrument are described herein with reference to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a right, perspective view of a forceps according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the forceps of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A is an exploded view of an end effector assembly of the forceps of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the end effector assembly of the forceps of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4A is a side view of the forceps of FIG. 1 with parts partially removed to show the electrical connection between a switch and the end effector assembly;

FIG. 4B is a left, perspective view of a jaw member of the end effector assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4C is a left, perspective view of a jaw member of the end effector assembly of FIG. 1; and

FIGS. 5A-5C are side views of the forceps of FIG. 1 illustrating actuation thereof between open and closed positions; and

FIG. 6 is a side view of a knife for use with the forceps of FIG. 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, a forceps 10 for use with open surgical procedures includes elongated shaft portions 12 a and 12 b each having a proximal end 14 a, 14 b and a distal end 16 a and 16 b, respectively. In the drawings and in the description that follows, the term “proximal”, as is traditional, will refer to the end of the forceps 10 that is closer to the user, while the term “distal” will refer to the end that is further from the user.

The forceps 10 includes an end effector assembly 100 that attaches to the distal ends 16 a and 16 b of shafts 12 a and 12 b, respectively. The end effector assembly 100 includes pair of opposing jaw members 110 and 120 that are pivotably connected and movable relative to one another about a pivot 65 (FIG. 2) to grasp tissue. Pivot 65 is disposed on a proximal end of jaw member 120 and includes opposing halves 65 a and 65 b disposed on opposing sides of a channel 126 (FIG. 4C) that is configured to facilitate reciprocation of a cutting mechanism or knife 85 therethrough (FIG. 2), as discussed in detail below.

Each shaft 12 a and 12 b includes a handle 15 and 17, respectively, disposed at the proximal end 14 a and 14 b thereof. Each handle 15 and 17 defines a finger hole 15 a and 17 a, respectively, therethrough for receiving a finger of the user. Handles 15 and 17 facilitate movement of the shafts 12 a and 12 b relative to one another which, in turn, pivot the jaw members 110 and 120 from an open position wherein the jaw members 110 and 120 are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a clamping or closed position wherein the jaw members 110 and 120 cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween.

As best seen in FIG. 2, shaft 12 a is constructed from two components, namely, 12 a 1 and 12 a 2, that are coupled together to form shaft 12 a. Likewise, shaft 12 b is constructed from two components, namely, 12 b 1 and 12 b 2, that are coupled together to form shaft 12 b. In some embodiments, component halves 12 a 1 and 12 a 2 and component halves 12 b 1 and 12 b 2 are ultrasonically welded together at a plurality of different weld points and/or may be mechanically coupled together by any suitable method including snap-fitting, adhesive, fastened, etc.

The arrangement of shaft 12 b is slightly different from shaft 12 a. More particularly, shaft 12 a is generally hollow to house the knife 85 and an actuating mechanism 40. The actuating mechanism 40 is operatively associated with a trigger 45 having handle members 45 a and 45 b disposed on opposing sides of shaft 12 a to facilitate left-handed and right-handed operation of trigger 45. Trigger 45 is operatively associated with a series of suitable inter-cooperating elements (e.g., FIG. 2 shows a trigger link 43, a knife pushing link 41, a spring 49, and an anti-deployment link 47) configured to mechanically cooperate (not explicitly shown) to actuate the knife 85 through tissue grasped between jaw members 110 and 120 upon actuation of trigger 45. Handle members 45 a and 45 b operate in identical fashion such that use of either of handle members 45 a and 45 b operates the trigger 45 to reciprocate the knife 85 through the knife channel 115 (FIG. 5C). Further, the proximal end 14 b of shaft 12 b includes a switch cavity 13 protruding from an inner facing surface 23 b of shaft 12 b and configured to seat a depressible switch 50 therein (and the electrical components associated therewith). Switch 50 aligns with an opposing inner facing surface 23 a of the proximal end 14 a of shaft 12 a such that upon approximation of shafts 12 a and 12 b toward one another, the switch 50 is depressed into biasing engagement with the opposing inner facing surface 23 a of the proximal end 14 a of shaft 12 a.

As shown in FIG. 1, an electrosurgical cable 210 having a plug 200 at its proximal end connects the forceps 10 to an electrosurgical generator (not shown). More specifically, the distal end of the cable 210 is securely held to the shaft 12 b by a proximal shaft connector 19 and the proximal end of the cable 210 includes a plug 200 having prongs 202 a, 202 b, and 202 c that are configured to electrically and mechanically engage the electrosurgical generator.

The tissue grasping portions of the jaw members 110 and 120 are generally symmetrical and include similar component features that cooperate to permit facile rotation about pivot 65 to effect the grasping and sealing of tissue. As a result, and unless otherwise noted, jaw member 110 and the operative features associated therewith are initially described herein in detail and the similar component features with respect to jaw member 120 will be briefly summarized thereafter.

With reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B, jaw member 110 includes an outer housing 116 a, first and second non-conductive plastic insulators 108 a and 114 a, and an electrically conductive sealing surface 112 a. The first and second insulators 108 a and 114 a are overmolded about jaw housing 116 a in a two-shot overmolding process. More specifically, the first insulator 108 a is overmolded about jaw housing 116 a to electrically insulate the jaw housing 116 a from sealing surface 112 a and the second insulator 114 a is overmolded about jaw housing 116 a to secure the electrically conductive sealing surface 112 a thereto. This may be accomplished by stamping, by overmolding, by overmolding a stamped sealing surface, and/or by overmolding a metal injection molded sealing surface. The jaw members 110 and 120 are made from a conductive material. In some embodiments, the jaw members 110 and 120 are powder coated with an insulative coating to reduce stray current concentrations during sealing.

As best shown by the cross-sectional view of FIG. 3B, electrically conductive sealing surface 112 a of jaw member 110 is pronounced from the jaw housing 116 a and the second insulator 114 a such that tissue is grasped by the opposing electrically conductive sealing surfaces 112 a and 112 b when jaw members 110 and 120 are in the closed position.

Likewise, jaw member 120 includes similar elements that correspond to jaw member 110 including: an outer housing 116 b, first and second plastic insulators 108 b and 114 b, and an electrically conductive sealing surface 112 b that is pronounced from the jaw housing 116 b and second insulator 114 b. As described above with respect to jaw member 110, the first insulator 108 b electrically insulates the jaw housing 116 b from the sealing surface 112 b and the second insulator 114 b secures the sealing surface 112 b to the jaw housing 116 b. Insulators 114 a and 114 b extend along the entire length of jaw members 110 and 120, respectively, to reduce alternate or stray current paths during sealing. In some embodiments, each of sealing surfaces 112 a and 112 b may include an outer peripheral edge that has a radius such that each insulator 114 a and 114 b meets the respective sealing surface 112 a and 112 b along an adjoining edge that is generally tangential to the radius and/or meets along the radius.

As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, at least one of the jaw members, e.g., jaw member 120, includes at least one stop member 750 disposed on the inner facing surfaces of the electrically conductive sealing surface 112 b and/or 112 a. Alternatively or in addition, the stop member(s) 750 may be disposed adjacent to the electrically conductive sealing surfaces 112 a, 112 b or proximate the pivot 65. The stop member(s) 750 facilitate gripping and manipulation of tissue and to define a gap between opposing jaw members 110 and 120 during sealing and cutting of tissue. In some embodiments, the stop member(s) 750 maintain a gap distance between opposing jaw members 110 and 120 within a range of about 0.001 inches (˜0.03 millimeters) to about 0.006 inches (˜0.015 millimeters).

As shown in FIG. 2, shaft 12 b includes a beam 57 disposed therein and extending between handle 15 and jaw member 110. In some embodiments, the beam 57 is constructed of flexible steel to allow the user to generate additional sealing pressure on tissue grasped between the jaw members 110 and 120. More specifically, once end effector assembly 100 is closed about tissue, the shafts 12 a and 12 b may be squeezed toward each other to utilize the flexibility of the beam 57 to generate the necessary closure pressure between jaw members 110 and 120. In this scenario, the mechanical advantage realized by the compressive force associated with the beam 57 facilitates and assures consistent, uniform, and accurate closure pressure about tissue grasped between jaw members 110 and 120 (e.g., within a working pressure range of about 3 kg/cm² to about 16 kg/cm²). By controlling the intensity, frequency, and duration of the electrosurgical energy applied to the tissue, the user can seal tissue. In some embodiments, the gap distance between opposing sealing surfaces 112 a and 112 b during sealing ranges from about 0.001 inches to about 0.005 inches.

In some embodiments, the sealing surfaces 112 a and 112 b are relatively flat to avoid current concentrations at sharp edges and to avoid arcing between high points. In addition, and due to the reaction force of the tissue when engaged, each of jaw members 110 and 120 may be manufactured to resist bending, e.g., tapered along its length to provide a constant pressure for a constant tissue thickness at parallel and the thicker proximal portion of the jaw members 110 and 120 will resist bending due to the reaction force of the tissue.

As shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4B, and 4C, at least one of jaw members 110 and 120 includes a knife channel 115 a and/or 115 b, respectively, disposed therebetween that is configured to allow reciprocation of a knife 85 therethrough. In the illustrated embodiment, a complete knife channel 115 is formed when two opposing channel halves 115 a and 115 b associated with respective jaw members 110 and 120 come together upon grasping of the tissue. Each plastic insulator 108 a and 108 b includes a trough 121 a and 121 b, respectively, that aligns in vertical registration with an opposing knife channel half 115 a and 115 b, respectively, such that knife 85 does not contact or cut through plastic insulators 108 a and 108 b upon reciprocation through knife channel 115. In some embodiments, the width of knife channels 115 a and 115 b and their respective troughs 121 a and 121 b may be equal along an entire length thereof.

As best shown in FIG. 4A, the interior of cable 210 houses leads 71 a, 71 b and 71 c. Leads 71 a, 71 b, and 71 c extend from the plug 200 through cable 210 and exit the distal end of the cable 210 within the proximal connector 19 of shaft 12 b. More specifically, lead 71 a is interconnected between prong 202 b and a first terminal 75 a of the switch 50. Lead 71 b is interconnected between prong 202 c and a solder sleeve 73 a which, in turn, connects lead 71 b to an RF lead 71 d and to a second terminal 75 b of the switch 50 via a connector lead 71 f. RF lead 71 d carries a first electrical potential of electrosurgical energy from lead 71 b to sealing surface 112 a. Lead 71 e is interconnected between prong 202 a and a solder sleeve 73 b which, in turn, connects lead 71 c to an RF lead 71 e. RF lead 71 e carries a second electrical potential of electrosurgical energy from lead 71 c to sealing surface 112 b.

With reference to FIG. 4B, a lead channel 77 is defined in the proximal end of jaw member 110 to provide a pathway for lead 71 d to connect to a junction 311 a (FIG. 3A) extending from a proximal end of sealing surface 112 a. A proximal end of lead channel 77 opens into a raceway 70 that includes a generally elongated configuration with a narrowed proximal end 72 and a broadened distal end 74 that defines an arcuate sidewall 68. Lead 71 d is routed to follow a path through the proximal end 72 of raceway 70 and, further, through lead channel 77 for connection to junction 311 a.

With reference to FIG. 4C, pivot halves 65 a and 65 b are disposed on opposing sides of channel 126 to facilitate translation of the knife 85 therethrough (FIGS. 5A-5C). Pivot halves 65 a and 65 b are disposed in a split spherical configuration and each include a respective base portion 165 a and 165 b that support an extension portion 166 a and 166 b thereon, respectively. Extension portions 166 a and 166 b are configured to engage correspondingly-dimensioned apertures 67 a and 67 b, respectively, disposed through pivot plate 66 to pivotably secure jaw member 110 to jaw member 120. A lead channel 109 is defined in the proximal end of jaw member 120 to provide a pathway for lead 71 e to connect to a junction 311 b extending from a proximal end of sealing surface 112 b. Lead 71 e is routed to follow a path through raceway 70 and, further between opposing pivot halves 65 a and 65 b and through lead channel 109 for connection to junction 311 b.

With reference to FIGS. 5A-5C, as the user applies closure pressure on shafts 12 a and 12 b to depress switch 50 (FIG. 5B), a first threshold is met corresponding to the closure force applied to switch 50 as a function of displacement of switch 50 that causes switch 50 to generate a first tactile response that corresponds to a complete grasping of tissue disposed between jaw members 110 and 120. Following the first tactile response, as the user applies additional closure pressure on shafts 12 a and 12 b (FIG. 5C), a second threshold is met corresponding the closure force applied to switch 50 as a function of displacement of switch 50 that causes the switch 50 to generate a second tactile response that corresponds to a signal being generated to the electrosurgical generator to supply electrosurgical energy to the sealing surfaces 112 a and 112 b. More specifically, the second tactile response indicates closing of a normally open circuit between switch terminals 75 a and 75 b and, in turn, establishment of an electrical connection between leads 71 a and 71 b. As a result of the electrical connection between leads 71 a and 71 b, the electrosurgical generator senses a voltage drop between prongs 202 b and 202 c and, in response thereto, supplies electrosurgical energy to sealing surfaces 112 a and 112 b via leads 71 d and 71 e, respectively.

In one embodiment, the first tactile response indicates to the user that the maximum grasping pressure has been reached before end effector 100 is energized where the user is free to approximate, manipulate, and grasp tissue as needed. In this scenario, the second tactile response indicates to the user the electrosurgical activation of the end effector 100. The switch 50 may include a plurality of other tactile responses between the above discussed first and second tactile responses and/or subsequent to the second tactile response that correspond to particular functions of the forceps 10 such as, for example, operation of the knife 85 and/or the actuation assembly 40, operation of a safety lockout mechanism associated with the actuation assembly 40, as discussed in detail below.

As shown in FIG. 4A, forceps 10 may include a gauge or sensor element 87 disposed within one or both of shafts 12 a, 12 b such that the clamping or grasping forces being applied to target tissue by end effector 100 may be measured and/or detected. For example, in some embodiments, sensor element 87 may be a strain gauge 87 operably associated with one or both jaw members 110, 120. Sensor element 87 may be one or more Hall effect sensors or strain gauges such as, for example, metallic strain gauges, piezoresistive strain gauges, that may be disposed within one or both of shafts 12 a and 12 b and/or within one or both of jaw members 110 and 120 to detect tissue pressure. Metallic strain gauges operate on the principle that as the geometry (e.g., length, width, thickness, etc.) of the conductive material changes due to mechanical stress, the resistance of the conductive material changes as a function thereof. This change in resistance is utilized to detect strain or applied mechanical stress such as, for example, the mechanical stress applied to tissue by jaw members 110 and 120. Piezoresistive strain gauges operate based on the changing resistivity of a semiconductor due to the application of mechanical stress.

Hall effect sensors may be incorporated to determine the gap between jaw members 110 and 120 based on a detected relationship between the magnetic field strength between jaw members 110 and 120 and the distance between jaw members 110 and 120.

In some embodiments, one or more reed switches 81 a, 81 b may be incorporated within shafts 12 a and 12 b to determine the proximity thereof relative to one another, as shown in FIG. 4A. More specifically, the reed switch(s) may be comprised of a switch 81 a disposed within one of the shafts (e.g., shaft 12 a) and a magnetic element 81 b (e.g., electromagnet, permanent magnet, coil, etc.) disposed within the opposing shaft (e.g., shaft 12 a) such that upon approximation of shafts 12 a and 12 b, the reed switch 81 a is activated or closed by the magnetic field of the magnetic element 81 b and, likewise, as shafts 12 a and 12 b are moved away from each other, the lack of magnetic field operates to deactivate or open the reed switch 81 a. In this manner, the proximity of shafts 12 a and 12 b and thus, jaw members 110 and 120, may be determined based on the reaction of the reed switch 81 a to the magnetic element 81 b.

Any of the above discussed sensors, switches, and/or strain gauge(s) may be incorporated within an electrical circuit such that the strain detected by the strain gauge changes the electrical signal through the circuit. With this purpose in mind, an electrical circuit between the strain gauge and the switch 50 and/or an electrosurgical generator (not shown) allows communication of information such as desired tissue pressure thereto. This information may be tied to the activation of switch 50 such that the switch is not activated until a desired and/or predetermined pressure on tissue grasped between jaw members 110 and 120 is achieved as detected by the strain gauge. Accordingly, the strain gauge may be disposed strategically on the forceps 10, e.g., on one or more of jaw members 110, 120, such that pressure applied to tissue grasped between jaw members 110 and 120 affects the strain gauge.

In use, forceps 10 may be calibrated such that particular tactile responses (e.g., the first tactile response) of switch 50 corresponds to a predetermined grasping pressure on tissue as determined through use of one or more of the above discussed sensors, switches, and/or strain gauge(s). The predetermined grasping pressure about tissue is within the range of about 3 kg/cm² to about 16 kg/cm² in one embodiment and, in another embodiment, about 7 kg/cm² to about 13 kg/cm². In some embodiments, switch 50 may generate multiple tactile responses, each of which corresponds to different predetermined grasping force. For a more detailed discussion of force sensing and/or measuring devices such as load cells, strain gauges, etc., reference is made to commonly-owned U.S. application Ser. No. 11/409,154, filed on Apr. 21, 2006.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 4B, and 4C, the pivot 65 connects through an aperture 125 defined through jaw member 120 and matingly engages a pivot plate 66 seated within a circumferential lip or flange 78 (FIG. 4B) defined around the periphery of aperture 125 such that the pivot 65 is rotatably movable within the aperture 125 to move jaw members 110 and 120 between open and closed positions.

In some embodiments, actuation of the knife 85 is associated with activation of the switch 50. For example, sensor 87 may be embodied as a position sensor configured to detect the position of knife 85 relative to jaw members 110 and 120 and/or relative to tissue held therebetween. Additionally or alternatively, sensor 87 may be configured to detect either of the first and second tactile responses of switch 50 and allow or prevent actuation of the knife 85 accordingly. For example, based on feedback from the sensor 87, any one or more inter-cooperating elements or lockout mechanisms associated with the actuating mechanism 40 may be energized or de-energized to allow or prevent actuation of the knife 85, as described in more detail below.

As shown in FIG. 7, knife 85 includes a step 86 that reduces the profile of the knife 85 toward a distal end thereof. The distal end of the knife 85 has a step 88 that increases the profile of the knife 85 toward a sharpened distal cutting edge 89. The knife 85 includes a chamfered portion 84 where the sharpened distal cutting edge 89 meets the step 88 to facilitate smooth retraction of knife 85 through the knife channel 15.

In some embodiments, the forceps 10 may include a safety lockout mechanism having a series of suitable inter-cooperating elements (e.g., anti-deployment link 47, trigger link 47) that work together to prevent unintentional firing of the knife 85 when the jaw members 110 and 120 are disposed in the open position. Generally, the anti-deployment link 47 mechanically cooperates with the trigger link 43 to prevent advancement of the knife 85 until the jaw members 110 and 120 are closed about tissue. One such safety lockout mechanism for use with forceps 10 is described in commonly-owned U.S. application Ser. No. 12/896,100 entitled “Blade Deployment Mechanisms for Surgical Forceps”, filed on Oct. 1, 2010.

In some embodiments, any one or more of the inter-cooperating elements of the safety lockout mechanism (e.g., anti-deployment link 47) may be electrically interconnected to the switch 50 and include suitable electro-mechanical components (e.g., springs, rods, solenoids, etc.) configured to be energized via activation of the switch 50 (e.g., via any one of leads 71 a, 71 b, 71 c, 71 d, 71 e) to mechanically manipulate the safety lockout mechanism. For example, upon electrical conduction through leads 71 d and 71 e to energize the end effector 100, the anti-deployment link 47 is energized to cause actuation thereof such that the safety lockout mechanism disengages to allow selective actuation of the knife 85. In this scenario, by way of example, selective actuation of the knife 85 may be prevented until switch 50 has been depressed to generate at least the first tactile response.

While several embodiments of the disclosure have been shown in the drawings, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited thereto, as it is intended that the disclosure be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of particular embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto. 

1. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument, comprising: first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from a distal end thereof and a handle disposed at a proximal end thereof for effecting movement of the jaw members relative to one another about a pivot from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween, each jaw member adapted to connect to a source of electro surgical energy such that the jaw members are capable of selectively conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal; at least one of the jaw members including a knife channel defined along a length thereof, the knife channel configured to reciprocate a cutting mechanism therealong to cut tissue grasped between the jaw members; an actuator for selectively advancing the cutting mechanism from a first position wherein the cutting mechanism is disposed proximal to tissue grasped between the jaw members to at least one subsequent position wherein the cutting mechanism is disposed distal to tissue grasped between the jaw members; and a switch disposed on the first shaft and configured to be depressed between a first position and at least one subsequent position upon biasing engagement with a mechanical interface disposed on the second shaft upon movement of the jaw members from the first position to the second position, wherein the first position of the switch relays information to the user corresponding to a desired pressure on tissue grasped between the jaw members and the at least one subsequent position is configured to activate the source of electrosurgical energy to supply electrosurgical energy to the jaw members.
 2. The bipolar electrosurgical forceps according to claim 1, wherein the switch generates a first tactile response upon movement thereof to the first position and a subsequent tactile response upon movement thereof to the at least one subsequent position.
 3. The bipolar electrosurgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the desired pressure is in the range of about 3 kg/cm² to about 16 kg/cm² measured by at least one strain gauge disposed within the forceps.
 4. The bipolar electrosurgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the desired pressure is in the range of about 3 kg/cm² to about 16 kg/cm² determined by a sensed proximity of the first and second shafts relative to each other.
 5. The bipolar electrosurgical forceps according to claim 1, wherein the first position of the switch corresponds to an initial closure pressure of the first and second shafts and the at least one subsequent position of the switch corresponds to a subsequent closure pressure of the first and second shafts that is greater than the initial closure pressure.
 6. The bipolar electrosurgical instrument according to claim 1, further comprising a safety lockout configured to prevent reciprocation of the cutting mechanism when the jaw members are disposed in the first position.
 7. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein first and second leads carrying first and second electrical potentials are bundled in a single cable that operatively couples to one of the first and second shafts.
 8. The bipolar electrosurgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second leads is disposed through the pivot.
 9. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein each of the jaw members includes an electrically conductive sealing surface and at least one of the jaw members includes at least one non-conductive stop member disposed on the electrically conductive sealing surface configured to control the distance between opposing electrically conductive sealing surfaces when tissue is held therebetween.
 10. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument, comprising: first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from a distal end thereof and a handle disposed at a proximal end thereof for effecting movement of the jaw members relative to one another about a pivot from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween, each jaw member adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the jaw members are capable of selectively conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal; at least one of the jaw members including a knife channel defined along a length thereof, the knife channel configured to reciprocate a cutting mechanism therealong to cut tissue grasped between the jaw members; an actuator for selectively advancing the cutting mechanism from a first position wherein the cutting mechanism is disposed proximal to tissue grasped between the jaw members to at least one subsequent position wherein the cutting mechanism is disposed distal to tissue grasped between the jaw members; and a switch disposed on the first shaft and configured to be depressed between at least two positions upon biasing engagement with the second shaft upon movement of the jaw members from the first position to the second position, the switch generating a first tactile response upon movement to the first position of the switch and a subsequent tactile response upon movement to the at least one subsequent position of the switch, wherein the first tactile response relays information to the user corresponding to a predetermined pressure on tissue grasped between the jaw members and the subsequent tactile response is configured to activate the source of electrosurgical energy to supply electrosurgical energy to the jaw members.
 11. The bipolar electrosurgical forceps according to claim 10, wherein the first position of the switch corresponds to an initial closure pressure of the first and second shafts and the at least one subsequent position of the switch corresponds to a subsequent closure pressure of the first and second shafts that is greater than the initial closure pressure.
 12. The bipolar electrosurgical instrument according to claim 10, further comprising a safety lockout configured to prevent reciprocation of the cutting mechanism when the jaw members are disposed in the first position.
 13. A method of performing an electrosurgical procedure, comprising the steps of: approximating first and second shafts of a bipolar forceps to grasp tissue between first and second jaw members associated with the first and second shafts; depressing a switch upon approximation of the first and second shafts to a first position to relay information to the user corresponding to a predetermined grasping pressure applied to tissue grasped between the jaw members; and depressing the switch to at least one subsequent position to activate a source of electrosurgical energy to supply electrosurgical energy to the jaw members.
 14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising the step of selectively advancing a cutting mechanism from a first position wherein the cutting mechanism is disposed proximal to tissue grasped between the jaw members to at least one subsequent position wherein the cutting mechanism is disposed distal to tissue held between the jaw members.
 15. The method according to claim 13, further comprising the step of generating a first tactile response corresponding to the first depressed position.
 16. The method according to claim 13, further comprising the step of generating a second tactile response corresponding to the at least one subsequent depressed position. 